There’s nothing quite like a leather sofa to set the tone for your living room. After all, your sofa or sectional is the largest and most significant piece of furniture in the space. And a loveseat can be almost as important.

Maybe you’ve thought about buying leather seating, but you have some questions. Is leather worth it? How hard is it to maintain? Will it continue to be in style? Rest assured that soft, comfortable, durable, luxurious leather was, is and will continue to be a premier choice for a fashionable living space.

Why Choose Leather?

What are the advantages of leather? There are so many it’s hard to know where to start. But a good place to start is comfort. There’s nothing quite like sinking into the sumptuous satisfaction of leather. It works with your body temperature to help keep you cool in summer and warm and winter.

Let’s move on to durability. Leather couches can last up to three times as long as ones made of fabric. Not only that, but they can even look better as they age, gaining character and softness. And many people don’t realize that leather is reasonably low maintenance. Spills are usually no problem. Just wipe them up. Leather can be a practical choice even for families with children.

The story of leather’s benefits isn’t complete without talking about style. What kind of style? Just about any style! Leather can be homey and cozy. It can be formal and refined. It’s a timeless addition to your home design.

Timeless Leather Sofas and Loveseats

Leather is versatile. You can choose a trendy look that goes with the hottest styles of today, or you can opt for a traditional panache that will never go out of fashion.

For example, a clean-lined simple profile will hold up to any era. It looks fine in a modern living room or a more traditional one. Another classic look is almost the opposite: the elegant leather of a men’s club or a formal room with pleats, curves and upholstered nail heads.

Over time, however, the trend has moved more and more to the cleaner lines and the smoother leather finishes with visible metal or wooden legs.

Leather Sofa and Loveseat Fashion Trends

What’s leather furniture like in 2021 and the years immediately ahead? The trend is to emphasize functionality over formality. Today’s furniture lovers want something that not only looks sharp but is a joy to sit down in and sink into.

Contours

Linear and angular sofas aren’t going anywhere and will continue to be a reliable choice, particularly for a modern, industrial or high-tech style. But there’s a move toward softer and more curvy lines. It’s part of making sofas and loveseats look as comfortable as they feel. Heavy and even clunky cushioning suggests a welcoming space where you can exhale and cocoon from the hassles of the world outside your door.

An alternative for minimalist homes or rooms with continuous family use: the slouchy modular leather sectional sofa. They’re friendly and flexible and can easily be rearranged to change the personality and purpose of the room.

Colors

When you choose leather, you’ll never go wrong with black, gray, mahogany, tan or cream. But did you know that blue has become one of today’s top choices for sofas, both leather and fabric? Along with beige and tan, blue does a particularly good job of standing out from its surroundings. And though it’s not for everybody, so does white.

Speaking of surroundings, the sofa or loveseat that contrasts with the room is a popular trend. Also, are you ready for a red leather sofa set? Now there’s a color that’s both bold and classic.

A discussion of colors wouldn’t be complete without buttery tan. It’s been hot for a few years now, and it doesn’t look to be going away, especially if the silhouette fits your motif. The clean, squarish look goes best with modern, while traditional or rustic rooms call for a more curved and artistic form.

Lounging Features

Comfort is at the forefront for today’s leather loveseats and couches, and that means adjustability and electronic amenities. The leather reclining sofa leads the way. Many leather sofas and loveseats also have great lumbar support, adjustable footrests and headrests, cup holders, Bluetooth speakers and USB ports. How fine it is to come home to a seat that welcomes you not only with its good looks but also with the comforts it has to offer. For a finishing touch, add a leather ottoman as a footrest or even as its own separate seat for guests.

Leather Ties Styles Together

If there’s any style at which leather excels, it’s transitional. That’s good, because so many of today’s living rooms incorporate a little bit of traditional and a little bit of modern. That new leather sofa or loveseat may be just what you’re looking for to tie everything together and at the same time make a statement of its own.

Learn more about leather furniture styles.

Love for Leather blog post.

Leather Buying Guide: Picking the Right Leather Furniture.